Prevention and Diagnosis of Birth Defects

Chapter 3 Section 3

Past vs. Present • In the past- little could be

done • Now- National Foundation/

March of Dimes – Fund ongoing research

• Several causes can now be controlled– Drugs, infections

• Tests can diagnose prenatally – Early detection- early

treatment

Genetic Counseling

• Hereditary or ___________________can be predicted

• Tells _______________• ___________________:

understand genetic disorders, help prepare for emotional and financial issues

Genetic Counseling Process

• Obtains family medical history– Inherited disorders, birth

defects, causes of death• Physical examinations• Questionnaires & tests• Result: _____________

______________________________________

Prenatal Tests

• Several methods are used to determine if specific birth defects are present

• Useful _________________for early _______________

Examples1. ___________: a technique

of using _____ _________ to make a video image of an unborn baby to check for specific health problems– Shows if fetus is developing

on schedule– Defects of skeleton or organs

are able to be detected – Verify _____________ – Not always ___________

Examples2. ______________: process of

withdrawing a sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding an unborn baby with a special needle and testing that fluid for indications of specific birth defects or other health problems– Doctor uses ultrasound to guide the

needle – Most commonly used to test for

______________– Risky- only used if _______

_______________________– Always the woman’s choice

Examples3. ____________________:

process of testing for specific birth defects by sampling small amounts of the tissue from the membrane (________) that encases the fetus– Inserts a catheter through the

vagina into the uterus– Samples of the villi-fingers of

tissue • Protrude from chorion

– Can be done earlier in pregnancy

– Higher risk for ___________

Early diagnosis

• >100 birth defects can be diagnosed prenatally– Some can be treated

before birth– Surgery, therapies can be

done prenatally• More diagnostic tools

are being researched

Avoiding Environmental Hazards

Ch 3 Section 4

Overview

• Mother-to-be is responsible for taking every step to increase the chances of having a healthy baby

• Important– understanding the harmful effects of environmental hazards such as alcohol, drugs, smoking, X rays, and infections

Alcohol

• Women who drink alcohol during pregnancy– often have children born

with a variety of birth defects

– Some can be fatal

F.A.S.

• ___________________: physical deformities and cognitive problems resulting from a mother’s consumption of alcohol during pregnancy

F.A.S Effects– Most all ___________

_______________– Alcohol interferes with

tissue growth and development• _______________is most

easily injured– Slow growth, poor

coordination, behavior problems, heart defects, and ______________ ___________________

Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE)• Woman who drinks less alcohol

– Less several condition involving some, but not all, the symptoms of FAS

• There is ______________ _____________ that a woman can drink without taking the chance of causing harm to the fetus

• Degree of damage is related to ___________

• No _________

Other Drugs• Many doctors believe taking

drugs is a major cause of birth defects

• Drugs to be aware of:– Alcohol– Prescription meds– OTC like aspirin, cold meds,

nasal spray– Caffeine & nicotine– Illegal drugs- marijuana, LSD,

crack, heroin– Inhalants

Medications

• No completely safe drug• Even ____________

meds can be dangerous• Late 1950s:

____________ used to help morning sickness – Caused severe birth

defects in >5,000 infants• Over ________ items

carry warning labels

Prenatal Development• Medicines during

______________ are most damaging– Reduces nutrient-rich blood

flow to fetus– Organs, major systems, limbs

are developing– Brain development & mental

retardation • _____________ slowed

growth, infections, bleeding• Before birth- drugs could still

be baby’s system

Medically Necessary

• Managing serious conditions– Diabetes, high blood

pressure– Under Dr.’s direction– Advised to give up meds

for _________________

Caffeine

• Found in may drinks and medications– Coffee, tea, hot

chocolate, soda• Large amounts can

result in _____________

Tobacco

• _________ linked to low birth weight

• _______= critical factor for baby’s __________

• Premature birth

Illegal Drugs• Passes addiction on to baby at

birth• Infants go through

________________– Painful illness resulting on drug

dependence – Can result in death

• Possibly affect on learning ability and behavior

• Research shows children seem _______________ __________________________________________

Specific Cases

• _______________ are shown to result in:– Miscarriage– Stillbirth– Prematurity– Birth defects

X-Rays

• _____________ can cause birth defects

• Need to inform Dr.s of pregnancy before x-rays– Including _________

• Doctors will use ______________________________________

Rubella• “German measles”• Occurred several decades

ago• Mother’s infection of rubella

was passed to baby• Caused:

– _____________________ ______________________

• __________is now available, need to check if you had vaccine prior to _____________________

STDs• Can affect unborn babies

– Passed from infected mother

• Mothers aren’t always aware– Most doctors will test for

STDs– Solution for baby’s eyes for

_____________ germs that could lead to blindness

• Untreated- ___________ _____________________

Specific Cases• ________– no cure, invariably

fatal• Spread by unprotected

__________________ __________________

• Fetus can contract it through the mother

• Can lie hidden for years before causing symptoms

• Woman with AIDS- ____________ chance that baby will contract it

Genetic Counseling

• Review family medical history

• Answer the questions:– What is the chance that

this substance or disease will cause a problem?

– Is there any special care needed during pregnancy?

– Should any special tests be considered?